THE FUNCTIONS 
 
 OF A GREAT UNIVERSITY. 
 
 TORONTO; THE BRYANT PRESS. 185,5. 
 
THE FUNCTIONS OF A GREAT 
 UNIVERSITY 
 
 INAUGURAL ADDRESS 
 
 Delivered on November 16th, 1894 
 
 BY 
 
 J. M. Clark, M.A., LL.B. 
 
 President of The University College Literary and Scientific Society. 
 
 Published pursuant lo Resolution of the Society. 
 
 Toronto : 
 THE BRYANT PRESS 
 
 1895. 
 
THE 
 FUNCTIONS OF A GREAT UNIVERSITY 
 
 Mr. Chairman, Members of the Literary and Scientific Society, 
 Ladies and Gentlemen : 
 
 Allow me first, Mr. Chairman, to express to the members 
 of the Literary and Scientific Society my sincere appre- 
 ciation of the great honor they have conferred upon me 
 in unanimously electing me to the presidency of their 
 Society. When one glances over the long list of illustrious 
 ex-presidents, including, as it does, such able statesmen as 
 the late Adam Crooks, for many years Minister of Educa- 
 tion; such brilliant jurists as the Honorable J. A. Boyd 
 Chancellor of Ontario and Chairman of Convocation ; such 
 noted pubhcists as Mr. Thomas Hodgins ; such eminent 
 educationists ns the respected President of the University 
 of Toronto, the late head of the Ontario Law School, and 
 our distinguished chairman, one must undertake ihe 
 responsibilities of such a position with hesitation and 
 trepidation. This is especially the case when one remembers 
 the highly important functions which this Society performs 
 and is calculated to perform, in this University and in the 
 intellectual and social life of the student body. 
 
 The objects of the Society are, by its much-discussed 
 constitution, defined to be : "(a) The encouragement of liter- 
 ary and scientific pursuits and public speaking ; (6) The 
 encouragement of such affairs and the discussion of such 
 
The Functions of a Great University. 
 
 questions as properly come within the province of the 
 student body of the University of Toronto." 
 
 The mere statement of these objects will suffice to 
 indicate the important part played in student life by the 
 Literary and Scientific Society, and it may safely be said 
 that the student who neglects the work of this Society 
 makes a serious mistake. The mistake made by that 
 student who takes no part in the work of the Literary and 
 Scientific Society is a serious one, not only from his own 
 standpoint, but also from a university and college stand- 
 point. He loses a most interesting means of improvement 
 (shall I add of recreation ?), and invaluable opportunities 
 of becoming acquainted with his brother students; for 
 the friendships formed in the Literary Society, and in con- 
 nection with its work, are often the closest and most 
 enduring we make, and furnish us with the most plensant 
 memories of undergraduate days. The University also loses 
 by any neglect of the Literary and Scientific Society, for 
 it is certainly one of the most effective means of develop- 
 ing and maintaining that proper esprit de corps which may 
 truly be said to be essential to the permanent prosperity of 
 our College and University. 
 
 It is a great relief to be associated with active and ener- 
 getic officers, to have the assistance of a vigilant and effi- 
 cient committee, and to know that I can count on the con- 
 stant co-operation of every member of the Society. 
 
 There are a great many questions which might usefully 
 engage our attention on an occasion such as the present ; 
 for instance, it would be fitting to discuss the present status 
 of the University of Toronto and of University College, and 
 the relation of these institutions, to each other, to the State, 
 and to the educational system of the Province. 
 
 As you are all aware, the University of Toronto was 
 originally designed to imitate, as far as the circumstances 
 would permit, the great historic universities of Oxford and 
 Cambridge; but in 1849 ^^^ 1853 it was reorganised, and 
 
 4 
 
 t") 
 
The Functions of a Great University. 
 
 the model of the then recently established University of 
 London was largely followed in this reorganisation. 
 
 The London system, of a teaching college and an 
 examining university, was continued till seven years ago, 
 when the unique experiment of a university federation was 
 attempted. The results of this experiment remain for the 
 future to disclose. We will hope that the many difficulties 
 in the way of permanent success will be removed, and the 
 obstacles to progress and development overcome ; but to 
 accomplish this result will tax to the utmost the resources 
 of our college and university statesmen, and will require 
 the most strenuous and united efforts of all the friends of 
 the University of Toronto, and especially of all the friends 
 of University College. 
 
 At the present time this is a State University, but only 
 recently the Province declined, in the most emphatic way, to 
 be responsible for its proper support and adequate equip- 
 ment, and intimated that it is hopeless to expect the Provin- 
 cial Legislature to provide the funds which are admittedly 
 necessary to enable the Provincial University efficiently to 
 discharge the exalted, nay, vital duties which she exists to 
 perform. The friends, however, of our State University will 
 rejoice at the generous recognition of the just claims of the 
 Provincial University upon the resources of the Province so 
 eloquently expressed by the Hon. G. W. Ross, the Minister 
 of Education, at our last Commencement. 
 
 We are not likely to have in our Provincial Legislature 
 any considerable number of members like the representative 
 who, in one of the Western State Legislatures, opposed a 
 proposed grant to a college library, and distinguished 
 himself by asking whether the librarian had read all the 
 books then in the library. 
 
 The University is, by reason of its connection with the 
 State, unquestionably deprived of the gifts of private muni- 
 ficence which so magnificently contributes to the endow- 
 ment of other universities, such as Queen's, McGill and 
 
 5 
 
The Functions of a Great University . 
 
 the great American universities. We all rejoice at the 
 princely gifts to McGill of such men as W. C. Macdonald, 
 the Molsons, the Redpaths, and Sir Donald Smith, who 
 together have contributed over .two million dollars to the 
 endowment of various departments of learning and research, 
 and hope that their liberality may stimulate the wealthy 
 men of Toronto and Ontario to follow the commendable 
 example set them by those gentlemen of Montreal. 
 
 The question of whether the present relations af the 
 University of Toronto and University College to the Prov- 
 ince should not be severed, or, at any rate, materially 
 modified, is a serious, and, I may add, a pressing one. 
 The complicated and indeed crude nature of the arrange- 
 ments now subsisting between the various governing bodies 
 of the University and College can scarcely be regarded as 
 permanent. 
 
 It would be difficult to give an accurate description of 
 these peculiar arrangements — indeed, it would be difficult to 
 describe our University constitution, except by saying that 
 it is neither flesh, fowl, nor good red herring. 
 
 With these interesting and important questions of 
 University politics, I do not propose on the present occasion 
 to deal; rather, I shall in briefest fashion give expression to 
 a few thoughts on the true functions of a great University, 
 although time will not permit me to deal with all the impor- 
 tant functions which a great University must necessarily 
 perform, nor even to deal exhaustively with any of them. 
 
 The duties of teaching and examining, while so urgently 
 necessary, are so obvious and well recognised that it is not 
 necessary to delay to discuss them. 
 
 It is the duty of the University not only to impart to her 
 students the body of truth already known, but also to im- 
 plant and foster in them a love of truth for its own sake ; 
 for she can bestow on her sons no greater blessing than the 
 awakening of a true love of science or literature. Neither 
 can satisfy the deepest needs or the highest aspirations 
 
The Functions of a Great Vniversity. 
 
 of our natures, nor assuage our keenest griefs, but either 
 can enrich and ennoble one's Hfe. To him who truly loves 
 either Science or Literature, who delights to behold "the 
 bright countenance of truth," life may not become "weary, 
 stale, flat, and unprohtable," for of either it may be truly said 
 that age cannot wither her, nor custom stale her infinite 
 variety. 
 
 In consideringwhat are the true functions of a University, 
 it is well to bear in mind that (to adapt the saying of Goethe) 
 the important thing is not what the student can accomplish, 
 but what may be accomplished in him. A man may be "deep 
 versed in books, yet shallow in himself." Probably many 
 students may truly, sadly sing (with variations) : 
 
 I have now, alas, Philosophy, 
 Medicine and Jurisprudence, too, 
 And, to my cost, Theology, 
 With ardent labor studied through. 
 
 And yet it may be said : 
 
 And there he stands with all his lore, 
 Poor fool, no wiser than before. 
 
 However highly we regard the privileges and advantages 
 of a University education, it may as well be candidly admit- 
 ted that there are many graduates who derive and have 
 derived no benefit whatever from their University course ; 
 that, however, is their fault and misfortune, and in no sense 
 can be regarded as the fault of the University. It is necessary 
 to rememberthe old proverb, that "an ass by travelling does 
 not become a horse." Such a graduate, however, is the 
 exception that proves the rule. 
 
 In the great majority of cases, a University training 
 is of the greatest possible benefit, making its recipients 
 more useful and energetic, imparting to them not only useful 
 knowledge and information, but also education and culture. 
 It creates high ideals and helps toward their realisation, 
 for the true student is likely to ponder on Ruskin's noble 
 words, " Mighty of heart — mighty of mind. Magnanimous — 
 to be this is indeed to be great ; to become this increasinglv 
 
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The Functions of a Great University. 
 
 is indeed to advance in life — in life itself, not in the trappings 
 of it." 
 
 But I desire to emphasise the duty of this as of every other 
 great University, not only to train students for usefulness, 
 but also to promote original research, and to provide effective 
 means for the advancement of learning, and the extension of 
 scientific knowledge. 
 
 Quite as truly now as in the days of Newton, it may be 
 said that the ocean of truth lies all undiscovered before us. 
 Surely, then, it is a vital function of a true University not 
 only to teach and train students, to implant in them a love 
 of truth for its own sake, but also to search out new truth 
 and to enlarge the boundaries of human knowledge. To 
 adapt a familiar quotation, we may say that to the great 
 Universities truth " entrusts the ark of her awful and 
 magnificent cause"; it therefore behooves the University of 
 Toronto to see to it that the sacred trust is not betrayed. 
 
 There would not be time to indicate or even to suggest 
 the fields of research which are open and unexplored, inviting 
 investigation — all promising rich rewards. Nature has yet 
 many precious secrets to reveal to the earnest searcher 
 after truth, who makes " industry his oracle and reason his 
 Apollo." As was well said by Lord Rayleigh, " The work 
 may be hard, the discipline severe, but the interest never 
 fails, and great is the privilege of achievement." 
 
 Take even the subject of Mathematics, which many 
 regard as a perfectly developed and fixed science. It is not 
 necessary to say that such an idea is quite erroneous. 
 Many of the departments of even pure mathematics are yet 
 in their infancy. Even geometry, one of the oldest of the 
 sciences and one of the richest with the spoils of time, 
 is yet capable of almost indefinite development, and our 
 accomplished Chairman now teaches to those who have 
 manifested their appreciation of the " hard-grained beauties 
 of the cube and square " the modern geometry in which 
 
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The Functions of a Great University. 
 
 the axioms and postulates of Euclid are not recognized — 
 indeed, have no place. 
 
 Notwithstanding the immense advances of recent years, 
 the most pressing necessity of mathematics and science is a 
 more powerful calculus. Many of the processes of nature 
 are so subtle and complicated that the resources of the 
 present calculus are utterly incapable of grappling with them. 
 Here, then, there is great need for the work of another 
 Leibnitz, another Euler, another Bernouilli, another Wallis, 
 another Lagrange, Cayley, or Sylvester, and who shall say 
 that he shall not be produced by University College ? 
 
 To prove the significance of this, it is sufficient for me 
 to quote Lord Kelvin, who testified that he perceived many 
 of his important discoveries lurking in his equations before 
 he detected them in his experiments. 
 
 Astronomy, perhaps the grandest and most fascinating 
 of the sciences, one which has occupied the attention of 
 many of the noblest minds of the past, and is occupying the 
 attention of many of the keenest intellects of the present, 
 yet still offers unbounded scope for the untiring labors of 
 future generations. The unflagging industry of Kepler and 
 the genius of Newton made known many of the lav/s govern- 
 ing the solar system ; and the history of the discovery of 
 the new planet, by Dr. Adams, indicates the advanced stage 
 reached by astronomical science ; yet we hear of the New 
 Astronomy, and it would be vain to deny that treasures as 
 rich as any yet found are waiting to reward the patient and 
 bold explorer. 
 
 In 1842 Comte, in his ** Cours de Philosophic Positive," 
 said in reference to the possibilities of knowledge of the 
 heavenly bodies : " We can conceive the possibility of 
 determining their forms, their distances, their size and their 
 movements, yet we can never, by any means, study their 
 chemical composition or mineralogical structure." Yet seven 
 years previously, Wheatson had pointed out to the British 
 Association for the Advancement of Science the possibilities 
 
 9 
 
The Functions of a Great University. 
 
 of Spectrum Analysis and the method thus furnished of 
 analysing bodies, the light from which could be obtained ; 
 and twenty-two years after, it was determined by this method 
 that the unresolved nebulas were enormous masses of 
 luminous gas or vapor. The history of the spectroscope, 
 one of the most delightful of the fairy tales of science, 
 is a striking commentary upon the words of the philosopher, 
 and suggest the folly of attempting to limit the possibilities 
 of the advance of science. All things are possible to him 
 who perseveres. 
 
 The utter inadequacy of the appliances of our Provincial 
 University for teaching this great subject, to say nothing of 
 the entire absence of any means of pursuing original investi- 
 gation, is simply deplorable. Here, then, is an unrivalled 
 opportunity for one of our wealthy men to write his name 
 indelibly upon the fair page of our University history, and 
 to link his fame with the noblest of the Sciences. 
 
 What we have said of pure mathematics applies with 
 greater force to Physics. Great as has been the progress of 
 the past one hundred years, there is every reason to expect 
 greater, much greater, progress in the coming century. 
 
 Many problems in Acoustics remain unsolved, and many 
 of its most interesting phenomena remain unexplained. For 
 instance, no complete scientific explanation of the action of 
 the telephone, an instrument of great scientific as well as 
 practical importance, has yet been given. 
 
 Optics still offers a field for original research sufficiently 
 magnificent and promising to satisfy the most ambitious. 
 
 Notwithstanding the work of Rumford, Joule, Clausius, 
 and Maxwell, the theory of heat is yet incomplete. 
 
 Above all do the intensely interesting subjects of Elec- 
 tricity and Magnetism offer splendid opportunities for dis- 
 coverv. Not only is the successful study of these subjects 
 of immense importance from a purely scientific point of 
 view, but it is in this direction that we may look for the 
 most useful inventions of the future. In this connection, 
 
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The Functions of a Great University. 
 
 Bacon's maxim, that knowledge is power, has proved, and 
 will prove, most emphatically true. 
 
 Without discussing the merits of the Aqueduct scheme, 
 or its demerits (which would be a more fruitful theme), 
 we may say that Canada, and particularly Ontario, has so 
 many water-powers of practically unlimited capacity for 
 doing work that to Canadians this subject is one of prime 
 national importance, as there can be little doubt that in the 
 near future many of these sources of energy, now vainly 
 offered us by nature, will be rendered commercially available. 
 
 Perhaps the most magnificent achievement of modern 
 science has been the establishment of the law of the conserva- 
 tion of energy ; that is, that all the so-called natural forces- 
 heat, light, chemical affinity, electricity, magnetism, etc.— are 
 simply manifestations of an unchangeable amount of inde- 
 structible energy. According to this principle, every form of 
 energy is capable of being transformed by suitable manipula- 
 tions into all its other forms, without in any case involving 
 any increase or diminution of the total quantity of energy. 
 But whilst the quantity of energy in the universe is invari- 
 able, yet by virtue of laws which it is unnecessary here 
 either to state or discuss, the amount of what may be 
 termed available energy is being constantly exhausted ; in 
 other words, as was first clearly pointed out by Sir William 
 Thomson, now Lord Kelvin, there is a universal tendency 
 in nature to the " dissipation " of mechanical energy. 
 
 The theoretical foundation of the modern doctrine of 
 the conservation of energy was clearly and distinctly laid 
 by Newton, but no further advance of any consequence was 
 made until about one hundred years later, when the experi- 
 ments of Davey and Rumford established the immateriality 
 
 of heat. 
 
 The calculations and conclusions of ^"ournier and Carnot 
 were expressed, it is true, in terms which, to a certain 
 extent, involved the now exploded corpuscular theories of 
 
 heat and light, but their reasonings and results were to 
 
 II 
 
The Functions of a Great University. 
 
 such an extent independent of any p.irticular theory that 
 the elements involving the truths of these untenable 
 hypotheses are capable of being almost entirely eliminated, 
 leaving results which have proved of the greatest use in the 
 development of the true theory of energy. 
 
 Joule, the great English physicist, by means of some of 
 the most ingenious experiments of modern times, placed the 
 grand law of the conservation of energy on a true experi- 
 mental foundation. His results were extended by Helmholtz, 
 Mayer, Clausius, and Thomson, till the law of conservation 
 has been shown to govern all natural forces. 
 
 Thomson demonstrated that Faraday's discovery of 
 the rotation of the plane of polarisation of a polarised ray 
 of light produced by media under the influence of a 
 powerful magnet, or, in other words, the " magnetisation 
 of light," — which Tyndall likens "to the Weisshorn among 
 the mountains, as high, beautiful, and alone," — involves the 
 dependence of magnetism on motion, or, more correctly, 
 on energy. 
 
 The principles of the conservation and transformation of 
 energy were shown to govern physiological phenomena by 
 Carpenter, and by Helmholtz, the great professor of the 
 University of Berlin, whose death a few weeks ago is one of 
 the severest losses science has sustained for many years. 
 
 While in the manner above roughly sketched the truth 
 of the principles mentioned has been established, yet their 
 far-reaching consequences have not been determined, and 
 much yet remains to be done before a true theory of energy 
 is completely developed and established. It would be futile 
 to attempt to define the lines along which such develop- 
 ment is destined to take place ; it is sufficient for my 
 present purpose to point out the possibihties, nay, the cer- 
 tainty, of such development, and its momentous conse- 
 quences. 
 
 In the prevailing physical theories, the mysterious ether 
 supposed to be necessary for the propagation of light plays 
 
 12 
 
The Functions of a Great University. 
 
 an important part, and it is manifest that this part will, in 
 the Physics of the future, be increasingly important. Many 
 deny its very existence, and assert that it is a phantasy of 
 the mathematical imagination ; yet the greatest of living 
 physicists says (in his lectures on Molecular Dynamics) that 
 " we know the luminiferous ether better than we know any 
 other kind of matter in some particulars." However, the 
 properties of this mysterious ether which pervades not only 
 interstellar, but intermolecular and interatomic space remain 
 largely unknown, and Tyndall has predicted that the Physics 
 of the future will be miainly occupied in their investigation. 
 
 The ultimate nature of matter is yet to be determined. 
 Since the atomic theory as developed by the Greek philoso- 
 phers was expounded by Lucretius, various hypotheses have 
 been suggested to explain matter and account for its proper- 
 ties ; such, for instance, as the fantastical theoryof Boscovitch, 
 who discarded "atoms" and "molecules," and substituted 
 centres of force which were geometrical points, that is, 
 without length, breadth, or thickness; or the more scientific 
 vortex-atom theory of Sir William Thomson. While 
 Thomson's exceedingly interesting theory has certainly 
 fulfilled, and will to a greater extent fulfil, the recognized 
 functions of a scientific hypothesis, it remains to be seen 
 whether the correct explanation has yet been given. 
 
 We have not time here even to outline the possibilities of 
 progress in the various departments of what we call Natural 
 Science. Great as we esteem the triumphs of the past, 
 they are but a feeble indication of what is in store for future 
 scientists. Indeed, the scientist who has the most profound 
 insight into the mysteries of nature will be the most ready 
 to acknowledge, in the language of Tennyson, that he is 
 but 
 
 An infant crying in the night, 
 An infant crying for the light, 
 And with no language but a cry. 
 
 Sometimes it is said to be dangerous to pursue scientific 
 research, and it is objected that such pursuit of science tends 
 
 13 
 
The Functions of a Great University. 
 
 to scept'icisni, or, rather, to materialism or " naturalism." 
 Francis Bacon's saying; that a little philosophy inclineth 
 a man's mind to atheism is, perhaps, true of science, but 
 as in philosophy so in science, the remedy is a more pro- 
 found knowledge and deeper study. " Freedom alone can 
 cure the errors of freedom, and a riper knowledge the 
 errors of what is unripe." 
 
 At the same time, it is necessary to bear in mind the 
 truth of what was so well expressed by Rayleigh in his 
 address to the British Association for the Advancement of 
 Science at the Montreal meeting : " In his heart he [the 
 scientific worker] knows that underneath the theories 
 which he constructs there lie contradictions which he 
 cannot reconcile ; the higher mysteries of being, if 
 penetrable at all b}^ the human intelligence, require other 
 weapons than those of experiment and calculation." 
 
 Indeed, to adapt the words of Chalmers, the greater the 
 circle of light the greater the circumference of darkness 
 which surrounds this circle, growing more mysterious and 
 tremendous as the circumference is increased. The great 
 mysteries of being will persistently hover round this 
 illuminated circle, or (to use the modification of the 
 metaphor by Professors Stewart and Tait) "this illu- 
 minated sphere of scientific thought, of which duration, 
 extension, and structural complexity may be regarded as 
 the three independent co-ordinates in terms of each of 
 which the process of development goes on simultaneously 
 as the boundary of the sphere is enlarged." 
 
 An equally strong case could be made out (did time and 
 occasion permit) for the other departments of knowledge 
 and science. 
 
 In the great subject of Sociology there is ample scope 
 for the most ambitious. Like most other departments of 
 science, it is a department of unsolved problems. Even a 
 superficial survey of the state of society cannot fail to 
 convince the most optimistic that the evils of national, 
 
 14 
 
The Functions of a Great University. 
 
 political, social and industrial conditions are, to use the apt 
 words of Browning, • 
 
 " Multiform, manifold, and menacing." 
 
 The demand for remedies for these evils is one of imperative 
 urgency. Statecraft must call science to its aid, for such 
 evils can only be cured by the removal of their causes. 
 
 In connection with our subject, it is not merely fitting 
 but just, that brief reference be made to some of the work 
 achieved by members of the University of Toronto. 
 
 The name of the late revered and loved Professor of 
 Philosophy, George Paxton Young, suggests itself to every 
 mind. Though the solution of equations has occupied the 
 attention of men like Newton, Descartes, Fourier, Sturm, 
 Lagrange, Sir W. R. Hamilton, Cayley and Sylvester, 
 Professor Young succeeded in making a very distinct and 
 valuable addition to our knowledge of the subject. By 
 the penetrating subtlety of his keen analysis and the 
 persistent power of his irresistible perseverance, Professor 
 Young discovered and proved a remarkable and beautiful 
 law of great simplicity, governing the relations between the 
 roots of rational irreducible equations of the higher degrees. 
 
 Equally brilliant have been the discoveries of Professor 
 Young in regard to the solution of quintic equations. He 
 has ended the debate as to the possibility of the algebraic 
 solution of equations of the fifth degree by determining a 
 criterion of their solvability, and by effecting the solution 
 of all quintic equations which satisfy the criterion. 
 
 We will love and cherish the name and memory of 
 George Paxton Young as that of a great and good man, a 
 true and faithful friend, a prince among teachers, an acute 
 metaphysician, but other countries and posterity will know 
 and honor him as a great mathematician. 
 
 There is not time now even to mention such excellent 
 works as those of Professor Campbell, whom certain ecclesi- 
 astics accused of losing his way in pursuing the Hittites ; 
 
 15 
 
The Functions of a Great University. 
 
 and that of Doctor McCurdy, the scholarly Professor of 
 Oriental Lanj;uages. 
 
 In this connection, I may also refer to the valuable work 
 of President Loudon in applyin;^ geometrical methods to 
 the discussion of the theory of thick lenses. Those of you 
 who have mastered, or attempted to master, the intricate 
 algebraical investigations of the subject as given, for instance, 
 in the English text-books on optics will appreciate what 
 Professor Loudon has done. 
 
 Mention must also be made of such work as that done in 
 Ethnology and Philology, by Dr. A. F. Chamberlain ; in 
 Political Science, by J. M. McEvoy, the author of an im- 
 portant monograph on "The Township;" by Dr. Maclean 
 (who has left us to become Professor of Economics in the 
 University of Colorado) on Finance ; by Dr. Tracy, the 
 author of the " Psychology of Childhood " ; by Mr. McGee, 
 in Orientals; and by Dr. Miller in Chemistry. 
 
 These contributions are not only valuable in themselves, 
 and for their intrinsic merit, but also as suggestive of marked 
 ability and real power, and as manifesting the true scientific 
 spirit, and as giving bright promise of important work in 
 the future. 
 
 The researches, especially in Morphology, of Prof. Ram- 
 say Wright have, it is said, produced results of considerable 
 value, and his contributions to scientific journals have 
 brought great credit upon the University of Toronto. His 
 praiseworthy attempt to introduce post-graduate work 
 in this University is deserving of success, and will in 
 the future bear good fruit, for really we should look forward 
 to the establishment of post-graduate courses in as many 
 departments as the resources of the University will 
 permit. 
 
 Prof. Wright has delivered to University graduates a 
 very valuable series of lectures, which were much appre- 
 ciated by those who had the privilege of listening to them. 
 
 His pioneer work in this direction has done much to create 
 
 i6 
 
The Functions of a Great University. 
 
 and stimulate the true scientific spirit, and to encourage 
 and promote original research and investigation. 
 
 The researches as to the origin of the blood pigment, 
 and the relation of iron to the animal and vegetable cell, of 
 Dr. A. B. Macallum, have already been productive of most 
 important results. Some five years ago he discovered 
 micro-chemical methods by means of which he demon- 
 strated the presence of iron in chromatin. Dr. Macallum's 
 paper published in the proceedings of the Royal Society in 
 1891 has marked an epoch in the history of the subject. 
 These results have been followed up by valuable papers 
 published in various scientific periodicals, indicating great 
 research and originality. Dr. Macallum has proved that 
 iron is a constant constituent of the fundamental life sub- 
 stance in every cell, a fact not previously even suspected. 
 
 It is to be hoped that Prof. Macallum will continue his 
 researches, and that his brilliant successes, which have shed 
 lustre upon the University of Toronto, may be repeated, 
 and that he may succeed in solving the allied probl'^ms, 
 upon the solution of which, by means of micro-chemical 
 methods discovered by himself, it is understood he is en- 
 gaged.* 
 
 Not only in the history of the individual members of 
 this Society, but also in the history of this countr}^ the 
 foundations are now being laid. To both it is of the utmost 
 consequence that this Provincial University should efficiently 
 discharge her true functions. 
 
 In this beloved Canada of ours we have the " promise and 
 potency" of a great nation. If our University and College 
 perform faithfully their true functions, that promise will 
 
 *Since the above address was delivered an account of a paper by Dr. 
 Macallum "On the Distribution of Assimilated Iron Compounds other than 
 Hemoglobin and lliEmatins in Animal and Vegetable Cells" has appeared in 
 Vol. 57 of the Proceedings of the Royal Society. 
 
 17 
 
The Functions of a Great University. 
 
 be fulfilled, and possibilities more glorious than we now 
 dream of will be realised. 
 
 As " Fidelis " well says, "As yet the waxen mould is 
 soft, the opening page is fair." Let our University see that 
 there is impressed " the stamp of true nobility, high honor, 
 stainless truth," and that her sons are inspired by : 
 
 The earnest quest of noble ends, the generous heart of youth. 
 The love of country soaring far above dull party strife, 
 The love of learning, art, and song, the crowning grace of life ; 
 The love of Science soaring far through nature's hidden ways, 
 The love and fear of nature's God, a nation's highest praise. 
 
 Then we can say with well-founded confidence : 
 
 So in the long hereafter this Canada shall be 
 The worthy heir of British power and British liberty. 
 Spreading the blessings of her sway to her remotest bounds, 
 While with the fame of her fair name a continent resounds. 
 True to her high traditions, to Britain's ancient glory, 
 Of patient saint and martyr, alive in deathless story ; 
 Strong in their liberty and truth to shed from shore to shore 
 A light among the nations till nations are no more.